According to records that were published recently, drunk driving accidents are increasing in the United States, including in Virginia. A recent study revealed that approximately two percent of citizens admit to driving drunk, equating to more than 4 million drunk drivers. The study was conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
According to research, nearly one-third of all fatal drunk driving accidents are because of drunk drivers. In Virginia, in 2014, approximately 5,000 people sustained injuries and 300 were killed in DUI accidents. That is 36 percent of deaths on the road. Alcohol definitely has an impact on how drivers drive on the roads, and these motorists make the roadways a more dangerous place for us all.
One Virginia resident even states that he does not want his daughter to drive on the roads after 9 p.m. He does not want to be out after midnight, either, because he tends to feel nervous. Perhaps he is afraid of drunk drivers lurking on Virginia roads. According to the study, men between 21 and 34 years comprise one-third of drunk drivers. The report also revealed that the death rates vary from state-to-state and are often tied to the particular DUI laws in that each state.
If an individual dies in a drunk driving accident caused by an intoxicated driver, legal action may force a responsible driver to pay compensation to the victim’s family. If the victim had been working at the time of the accident, it would mean his or her family would lose income. Hence, a family in that situation may be able to recover compensation for those lost wages. Considering that the laws related to personal injury lawsuits are complex, it may be wise for an accident victim or the victim’s family to speak with a Virginia attorney about his or her case.
Source: WHSV.com, “Millions Still Admit to Drinking and Driving,” Nicole DiAntonio, Aug.14, 2015